Corn-harvester



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

' S. W. HOPE.

CORN VHARVESTER.

No. 423,766. a Patented Mar. 18, 1890.

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UNI-TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL W. HOPE, OF DOVER, DELAWARE.

CQRN-HARVESTER.

. SPECIFICATION forming part'of Letters Patent No. 423,766, dated March 18, 1890.

Application filed November 12, 1886. Serial No. 218,667. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SAMUEL W. HOPE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dover, in the county of Kent, State of Delaware, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Corn-Harvesters, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a top or plan view of a corn-harvester embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal vertical section thereof in line as a Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents a transverse Vertical section of a portion in line n y, Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale. Fig. 4 represents a top view of a portion of the front part of the harvester on a reduced scale. Fig. 5 represents a side elevation thereof on a reduced scale. Fig. 6 represents a vertical section of a portion in line ,2 .2, Fig. 1. Fig. 7 represents a vertical section of a detached portion. Fig. 8, Sheet 2, represents a detail view showing the extensions of the cradle.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

My invention relates to improvements in corn-harvesters; and it consists, first, in providing the device with mechanism, substan-. tially as described, for imparting motion to the gatherers in addition to that imparted by the contact of the stalks, said mechanism consisting of a rotary sleeve operated by the runhing-gear of the device and having a pinion secured thereon and engaging a pawl on the gatherers of the harvester, the said gatherers being loosely mounted on the shaft on which the said sleeve is mounted.

It further consists of a cradle having longitudinally-opening jaws pivoted to the frame 'of the machine and provided with flaps pivoted to the guards and operated by the movements of the jaws substantially as described. It further consists of the combination of parts herein set forth and claimed.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the frame of the harvester; B,the front wheels; 0, the hind wheels; and D,the shafts, which, inthe present case, are two in number, so that theharvester may be drawn by two horses or animals. Attached to the inner sides of the inner. shafts D and the frame E, which latter is between the said inner shafts, are guides or guards F, which are so .constructed that their I the same time protecting the said shafts D and frame E from wear by contact with the stalks. To said parts D E are secured fingers G, which project forward, and are bent down at the front end so as to approach the ground, the'object of said fingers being to pass under the corn when low and raise the same. A

. brace-rod E attached to the frame A, aids in keeping the shafts in horizontal position.

In arms A of the frame A, and at the front end thereof, are journaled vertical rotary shafts H, on which are mounted toothed" wheels or gatherers J, said wheels overlapping each other. The shafts H carry pulleys a, around which pass belts or bands K, the lat ter passing around pulleys L on a shaft M, whose bearings are on the frame A, said shaft M carrying a pulley N, which is operated by a chain or band P, a pulley Q, and pinions R S, the pinions S being secured to the hind wheels 0, the pulley Q and pinions R being connected with a shaft- R which is properly mounted on the frame A, near the rear of the harvester.

T represents transversely-extending shafts, which are journaledv in one of the limbs of the angular arms U, as shown in Fig. 6, the said arms being pivotally mounted on the front axle of the harvester at the rear of the gatherers J. Secured to said shafts are cutters V, which consist of two or more horizontal blades attached to arms or heads which are fastened to the shafts T. On the outer end of each of the shafts T is rigidly secured a pinion WV, meshing with a train of gearing consisting of three wheels X X X suitably journaled on the arm U. On the shaft of the last wheel of the train X is a pinion X, meshing with the spur-wheel Y on the axles of the front wheels, whereby a downward stroke is imparted to the cutters V.

The arms U carry pins Z, which enter segmental slots Z in arms Z secured to the arms of the frame A. (See Fig. 6.) By this provision the arms Il may beraised and lowered, so that the height of the cutters V may IOC be adjusted. When the adjustment is accomplished, the arms are securely held by means ofnuts Z on the pins Z.". (See Fig. 1.)

A represents endless aprons, which occupy inclined positions at the front of the machine, and are sustained on rollers A which are mounted on the frameA at the rear of the cutters V. V

B represents endless aprons, which occupy horizontal positions and are sustained on rollers E the latter being mounted on the frame A behind the aprons A, the faces of said aprons being serrated. The front rollers B are secured to the shafts M, whereby .mo-

tion is imparted to said aprons B. The shafts M transmit power to the shafts of the rollers A by means of pulleys C and belts O and thus motion is imparted to the aprons A. D represents a cradle, which is formed of jaws pivoted to the'frame A, extending in longitudinal direction and located behind the aprons B Attached to the cradle above their pivots are cords or chains E, which pass through pulleys F, mountedon guards G, which rise from the frame A outside of the cradle, said cords extending to levers H, which are pivoted to the frame adjacent to thedrivers seat, whereby by operating said levers the cradle may be readily opened below, so as to discharge its contents. The guards G are extended forward, the extensions G occupying positions at the sides of the aprons, so as to direct the cut stalks to the main apron and cradle. Pivoted to the upper ends of said guards G are flaps J,

which overhang the jaws of the cradle and rest thereon in such manner that whenthe cradle is opened the flaps are raised by the rising of the jaws due to the operation of the levers H and cords E as will be seen at the right side of'Fig. 3. When the cradle is closed, the flaps fold down on the same of their own weight, as will be seen at the left 7 handof Fig. 3.

1 Rising from the frame in front of the driv ers seat is a standard K, to which is pivoted a lever L, having the off-rein of each horse attached to the upper part and the rightreins to the lower part thereof, or vice versa, thus providing a device for driving the animals without requiring the reins to be held in the drivers hands, it being noticed that the driver has to operate the cradle-levers H as well as guide the horses, and thus both oper- '1 ations may be conveniently and effectively accomplished.

The toothed wheels or gatherers J are loosely fitted on the shafts H,- and have pivoted to-them pawls Q, which engage with ratchets R, secured tosaid shafts, so that as the ratchets receive motion from said shafts H they engage with the pawls Q and cause the rotation of the wheels or gatherers J. Should either of the sets of overlapping gath- I erers be crowded, so as to be moved faster than the revolving shafts, the pawl readily slides over the teeth of the ratchet, and there is no strain on the ratchet or connected parts.

It will be seen that when the harvester is advancedto. the standing corn thestalks are directed by the guides F to the rear end thereof, wherebytheyare gathered at said end, assisted by the wheels J, between which said stalks are temporarily clamped and by which they are properly inclined. When the stalks clear the wheels J, they are reach ed by the cutters V and severed, leaving stubs in the ground, which are further out off or reduced, owing to the continued rotation of said cutters. As the stalks lose their support, they fall against the inclined aprons A, and are carried by the same to the aprons B and unfailingly conveyed by the teeth of the same into the cradle D. which are now in closed condition. Ears of corn, leaves, 6 0., alsoifall 011 the apron A, and

are conveyed to the apron 13, thus prevent-v ing clogging of the machines and the cutters.

When sufficient quantity of stalks are gathered in the cradle, the cords E are let go (by advancing the levers H) and the jaws open at the bottom, thus discharging the cradle of its load. Simultaneously with the opening .motion' of the jaws theflaps J are raised by contact with the upper portion of the jaws,

whereby they close-thetop of the cradle and form a temporary support for the succeeding stalks which leave the apron B, thus preventing a strewing of the said stalks along the ground. they are closed by the driver by drawing back the lever H, and thereby the cordE, whereby the flaps drop and the stalks just resting there- As soon as the jaws are cleared on fall into the cradle. As soon as the cradle is again sufficiently full, it is permitted to open,

I and the subsequent operations are similar to those hereinbefcre stated. a

In Fig. 7 the endless apron B has one of its rollers mounted on a shaft which has slotted bearings, whereby the said shaft may be vertically adjustable, so as to adapt said apron operated by the running-gear of the harvester for rotating said shafts, said parts being combined substantially as and for the purpose set forth. f

2. In a corn-harvester, a frame witharms projecting forwardly therefrom, vertical rotary shafts having theirbearings on said arms and provided with ratchet-wheels secured thereto, overlapping gatherers loosely mounted on said shafts, said gatherers liaving pawls secured thereto, .pulleys on said shaft, mechanism, substantially as described, connected F to and intermediate of said pulleys, and the hindwheels of the running-gear of the harvester for imparting a rotary motion to said gatherers, said parts being combined substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a corn-harvester, the frame A, with forwardly projecting arms A having the shafts H mounted thereon and provided with the ratchets R, the overlapping gatherers J, loosely mounted on said shafts and provided with pawls engaging said ratchets, the pulleys a, mounted on said shaft H, the shaft M,- v with pulleys L and N thereon, a shaft with the pulley@ thereon and the pinion R,ihe pinion S on wheels 0 and meshing with the pinion R, and bands or belts uniting said pulleys a and L and pulleys N and Q, said parts being combined substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7 4. A corn-harvester consisting of revolving vertical shafts, ratehets secured to said shafts, overlapping gatherers on the upper portion of said shafts and provided with pawls, rotating cutters in the rear of said gatherers, inclined endless aprons in the rear of said cutters, cradles with longitudinallypivoted jaws in the rear of said aprons to receive the corn from the aprons, guards for said cradles and aprons extending along the sides thereof, and cords and levers to operate said jaws, said parts being combined substantially as described.

5. In a corn-harvester, the frame A, having slotted arm Z in combination with pivoted arm U, with stud Z, the guides F, the inclined endless apron A, the toothed endless apron B, and cradle D with guards G, substantially as described.

6. In a corn-harvester, a cradle consisting of longitudinally-opening jaws pivoted to the said flaps being in contact with the upper portion of said jaws and adapted to close said cradle at the top when said jaws are opened, said parts being combined substantially as described.

8. In a corn-harvester, the adjustable an gular arm U,'pivotally mounted on the front axle of the harvester, the shaft T, having its outer end journaled in the said angular arm,

and its inner end in the frame and having horil zontal blades secured to cross-heads fixed on the said shaft, and the pinion W, fixed thereon at the outer end, a train of gearing consisting of pinions X X X having'their journalbearings in thearm U, the pinion X, mounted on the shaft of the last wheel of the train; and the spur-wheel You the front supportingwheel B and meshing with said pinion X, said parts being combined substantially as described, whereby relatively tothe stalks a downward-cutting motion is imparted to the cutter.

s. w. Horn.

Witnesses:

JOHN A. WIEDERsHEIM, 'A. P. GRANT. 

